Funding
for the development of the publication 'Whole System
Design: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Engineering'
has been provided by the Australian Federal Department
of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)
under the Education for Sustainability Grants Program.
The publication has been co-published by The Natural
Edge Project (TNEP) and Earthscan in association with
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) and the World Federation of
Engineering Organizations (WFEO).

This
book is dedicated to Amory B. Lovins and Alan Pears.
To Amory, for his significant contribution to expanding
the solution space for sustainable design, and for
taking the time to mentor our team, and to Alan
for sharing with us his enthusiasm, insights and
lessons learnt from a life dedicated to whole system
design.

Whole
System Design: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable
Engineering

Whole
System Design is increasingly being seen as one
of the most cost effective ways to both increase
the productivity and reduce the negative environmental
impacts of an engineered system.

A focus
on design is critical, as the output from this
stage of the project locks-in most of the economic
and environmental performance of the designed
system throughout its life, which can span from
a few years to many decades. Indeed, it is now
widely acknowledged that all designers –
particularly engineers, architects and industrial
designers – need to be able to understand
and implement a whole system design approach.

This
book provides a clear design methodology, based
on leading efforts in the field, and is supported
by worked examples that demonstrate how advances
in energy, materials and water productivity can
be achieved through applying an integrated approach
to sustainable engineering.

Chapters 1â5 outline the approach
and explain how it can be implemented
to enhance the established Systems
Engineering framework.

Chapters 6â10 demonstrate, through
detailed worked examples, the application
of the approach to industrial pumping
systems, passenger vehicles, electronics
and computer systems, temperature
control of buildings, and domestic
water systems.

Whole
System Design: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable
Engineering

Teaching
Plan

This
document provides an example teaching plan for
working through the 10 Whole System Design lectures,
based on 2 iterations of teaching the material
to 2nd year undergraduate engineering students.
It includes a sample assessment item that uses
a problem-based learning approach.

Unit
1 explains the importance and relevance of a
Whole System Approach to Sustainable Design
in addressing the pressing environmental challenges
of the 21st Century. It introduces the main
concepts of a Whole System Approach to Sustainable
Design and how it complements 'design for environment'
and 'design for sustainability' strategies.

Unit
2: The Fundamentals of Systems Engineering to
Inform a Whole System Approach

Unit
2 provides an introduction to conventional Systems
Engineering, setting the context for Units 3-5.
Unit 2 highlights the similarities and differences
between some of the principles and motivations
of good Systems Engineering and a Whole System
Approach to Sustainable Design.

Unit
3: Enhancing the Systems Engineering Process through
a Whole System Approach to Sustainable Design

Unit
3 illustrates clearly how a Whole System Approach
fits into the traditional engineering methodologies
of Systems Engineering that are taught in engineering
schools all around the world. This unit outlines
traditional operational Systems Engineering
processes as described in leading Systems Engineering
text books and highlights how they can be further
enhanced through a Whole System Approach for
Sustainable Design.

Unit
4 presents a 'how-to' of the first 5 of the
10 key elements of Whole System Approach to
Sustainable Design. The application of each
element for optimal sustainability and competitive
advantage is discussed and then demonstrated
with case studies.

Unit
5 presents a 'how-to' of the last 5 of the 10
Key elements of Whole System Approach to Sustainable
Design. The application of each element for
optimal sustainability and competitive advantage
is discussed and then demonstrated with case
studies.

Unit
6 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a single- pipe,
single-pump system, focussed on a) reconfiguring
the layout for lower head loss and b) considering
the effect of many combinations of pipe diameter
and pump power on life cycle cost. The WSD system
uses 88% less power and has a 79% lower 50-year
life cycle cost than the conventional system.

Unit
7 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a passenger vehicle
focussed on reducing mass by 52% and reducing
drag by 55%, which then reduces rolling resistance
by 65% and makes a fuel cell propulsion system
cost effective. The WSD vehicle is also almost
fully recyclable, generates zero operative emissions
and has a 95% better fuel-mass- consumption
per kilometre than the equivalent conventional
vehicle.

Unit
8 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a computer server
focussed on using the right-sized, energy efficient
components, which then reduces the heat generated.
The WSD server has 60% less mass and uses 84%
less power than the equivalent server, which
would reduce cooling load in a data centre by
63%.

Unit
9 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a simple house focussed
on: a) optimising the building orientation;
b) optimising glazing and shading; and c) using
more energy efficient electrical appliances
and lamps. While the WSD house has a $3000 greater
capital cost than the conventional house, it
has a 29% lower cooling load will reduce energy
costs by $15,000 over 30 years.

Unit
10 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a domestic onsite
water system focussed on: a) using water efficiency
appliances in the house; and b) optimising the
onsite wastewater treatment subsystem, which
then reduces the capacity and cost of the subsurface
drip irrigation subsystem, and reduced the operating
and maintenance costs. The WSD system uses 57%
less water and has a 29% lower 20-year life
cycle cost than the conventional system.

I
was
thrilled
and
impressed
reading
this
manual
that
features
an
integrated
approach
towards
resource
productivity
and,
ultimately,
sustainability
both
at
small
and
large
scale.
Each
chapter
in
this
book
is
self-explaining
and
self-sufficient,
making
for
easy
reading
and
teaching,
but
taken
as
a
whole
it
is
a
wonderful
contribution
to
engineering
design,
as
you
would
expect
from
a
book
with
this
title.
Good
luck,
readers,
students,
and
teachers!

The
authors
have
provided
a
publication
which
can,
and
must,
be
widely
used
in
our
university
and
technical
training
institutions.
The
examples
highlight
the
simple
application
of
the
theory
presented
and
make
the
book
suitable
for
self
learning
as
well
as
in
classroom
or
tutorial
use.

Implementation
of
the
principles
and
concepts
of
whole
system
design
can
be
effectively
applied
in
the
design
and
development
of
any
type
of
system...
I
sincerely
believe
that
implementation
of
the
concepts
presented
will
greatly
facilitate...
the
design
and
development,
production,
and
installation
of
future
systems
which
are
robust,
reliable
and
of
high
quality,
supportable,
environmentally
sustainable,
and
will
be
highly
responsive
in
meeting
the
needs
of
the
customer/user...
I
feel
that
following
the
guidelines
presented
within
will
lead
to
much
success
in
the
future.

Speaking
recently,
I
outlined
what
I
thought
were
the
requirements
for
the
engineer
of
tomorrow.
I
was
quickly
corrected.
Today’s
engineer
needs
to
be
engineering
with
tomorrow
already
clearly
in
mind.
This
book
encourages
and
leads
today’s
engineer
on
a
journey
to
meet
tomorrow’s
needs.
Systems
thinking
and
asking
the
right
questions
opens
up
far
more
design
options
and
solutions
than
we
first
think.
And
some
of
those
solutions
bring
the
breakthrough
improvements
that
go
far
beyond
the
incremental.
Like
many
books,
this
one
seems
a
little
too
simple
at
first,
but
I
challenge
the
reader
who
feels
that
way
to
jump
to
the
back
and
look
at
the
examples.
Then
go
back
and
read
again.
There
is
real
power
in
its
simple
approach.
Engineers
are
often
caught
up
in
looking
for
the
incremental
improvement,
but
I
would
suggest
that
our
current
challenges
need
more
than
that.
I’d
encourage
all
engineers
to
look
at
this
book.
Dip
into
it
at
first,
then,
come
back
to
it.
There
is
an
elegance
in
the
approach
it
advocates.
I
had
a
design
lecturer
once
who
commented
that
I
had
correctly
answered
the
question,
but
that
I
might
have
done
better
by
asking
a
very
different
question.
I
think
he
would
like
this
book.

‘Whole
System Design’ is a comprehensive
resource to support professional,
academic and student engineers
in complex problem solving around
sustainability – an area
of focus recommended by the 2008
Review of Engineering Education
in Australia: ‘Engineers
for the Future’. As the
book shows, engineers and designers
can make a significant difference
to the current global environmental
crisis by reducing environmental
impacts in the design phase of
a wide range of projects.

The
Natural
Edge
Project’s
‘Whole
System
Design’
book
will
provide
a
valuable
resource
that
can
contribute
significantly
to
technical
design
curriculum
in
university
courses
and
professional
training.
I
have
used
a
whole
system
design
approach,
as
is
described
and
demonstrated
in
this
book,
to
improve
resource
efficiency
of
products
and
industrial
processes
often
by
a
factor
of
2
or
better.
An
exciting
consequence
of
applying
a
whole
system
design
approach
is
the
drastically
reduced
need
for
end-of-pipe
treatment,
both
in
the
local
area
and
potentially
in
the
wider
air,
soil
and
waterways.
This
book
is
the
first
free
resource
that
I’ve
seen
that
goes
into
sufficient
detail
for
the
reader
to
comprehensively
grasp
the
concepts
involved
in
a
Whole
System
Design
approach.
A
great
attribute
of
the
book
is
that
it
is
not
simply
a
set
of
a
stand-alone
ideas
–
it
provides
a
strong
foundation
for
embedding
sustainable
design
into
the
popular
design
process
already
taught
to
students
and
professionals
in
Australia
and
around
the
world.
It
is
evident
that
a
great
deal
of
thought
went
into
ensuring
that
the
ideas
in
the
book
could
be
quickly
and
easily
integrated
with
current
practices,
and
ensuring
that
the
ideas
are
universally
applicable
to
all
engineering
and
technical
design
disciplines.
I
commend
The
Natural
Edge
Project
for
their
efforts
and
the
Department
of
the
Environment
and
Water,
Heritage
and
the
Arts
for
supporting
the
project.

I
have
gone
through
your
Whole
System
Design
Suite
and
am
greatly
impressed
with
what
has
been
accomplished!
The
material
seems
to
be
VERY
well
organized,
quite
comprehensive,
and
quite
complete.
I
like
the
rather
unique
approach
in
your
material,
addressing
ALL
categories
of
systems
from
a
total
life-cycle
perspective,
which
facilitates
broad
application.
Congratulations
on
producing
an
excellent
package.
It
sounds
like
an
exciting
time
ahead.

It
is
becoming
increasingly
clear
that
climate
change
and
climate
variability
will
have
serious
impacts
on
virtually
every
facet
of
our
lives.
While
much
work
remains
to
be
done
to
better
understand
the
world's
climate
system,
it
is
crucial
that
humanity
rapidly
innovates
to
reduce
global
carbon
intensity
whilst
at
the
same
time
preparing
for
the
inevitable
impacts
of
climate
change
on
communities,
industries
and
ecosystems.
Wherever
possible,
we
must
seek
to
convert
adversity
into
opportunity.
Solutions
to
these
complex
problems
will
inevitably
involve
a
"whole
of
system"
response
-
one
that
pushes
the
frontiers
of
innovation
by
bringing
together
knowledge
and
expertise
at
the
boundaries
of
our
traditional
disciplines.
Accordingly,
the
publication
of
this
book
is
both
timely
and
important
given
its
focus
on
whole
system
design
and
I
commend
it
to
researchers,
practicing
engineers
and
designers.

Whole
System
Design
underpins
efforts
to
help
get
our
societies
onto
sustainable
pathways.
This
book
is
a
much
needed
contribution
providing,
in
detail,
instructions
on
how
to
implement
sustainable
design
for
green
buildings,
more
eco-efficient
products,
ICT
systems
and
fuel
efficient
cars
to
help
us
build
healthy
cities.

Climate
change
poses
a
significant
challenge
but
also
a
great
opportunity.
Mitigating
climate
change
successfully
will
involve
transforming
our
energy
systems.
As
part
of
this
transformation,
it
is
vital
that
existing
technologies
and
designs
are
re-examined
to
identify
new
ways
to
make
them
more
energy
efficient.
The
Whole
System
Design
approach
presented
in
this
book
offers
engineers
an
advanced
strategy
to
enable
them
to
achieve
large
energy
efficiency
savings.
We
urge
you
to
read
and
absorb
the
book’s
whole
system
design
framework
and
then
see
how
whole
system
design
can
be
applied
to
achieve
large
energy
efficiency
savings
in
the
book’s
detailed
technical
case
studies.
For
those
interested
in
more
examples
of
how
a
whole
system
design
approach
can
be
used
to
reduce
greenhouse
gas
emissions
we
commend
the
online
textbook
‘Energy
Transformed:
Sustainable
Energy
Solutions
for
Climate
Change
Mitigation’
by
the
same
authors,
which
the
CSIRO
Energy
Transformed
Flagship
funded.

‘Whole
Systems
Design’
(WSD)
developed
by
The
Natural
Edge
Project
(TNEP)
will
be
an
invaluable
resource
in
the
near
future
for
the
education
of
systems
engineers
on
matters
of
sustainability
and
design.
It
provides
a
seamless
link
between
the
traditional
system
engineering
design
approach
and
the
wider
perspective
of
environmental
and
social
effects
that
future
engineers
need
to
consider.
The
WSD
material
is
lucid
and
concise
but
also
has
sufficient
technical
depth
to
be
useful
and
challenging
for
all
students
in
the
tertiary
sector.
In
particular,
the
high
impact
examples
and
case
studies
clearly
illustrate
the
new
systems
thinking.
I
am
already
integrating
the
WSD
book
into
the
systems
engineering
curriculum
of
the
ANU
Engineering
undergraduate
programme.
Students
are
being
introduced
to
the
WSD
book
in
2nd
year
(2007
and
2008)
and
the
impact,
in
terms
of
sustainability
awareness
and
responsibilities
for
future
engineer
practice,
is
immediate.
The
TNEP
material
is,
therefore,
already
changing
the
perspective
and
thinking
of
our
future
engineers
and
aligning
their
design
skills
to
address
the
global
environmental
challenges.

We
all
have
a
major
role
to
play
in
reinventing
our
business
model
and
shaping
our
future,
whether
we
are
engineers,
designers,
governments,
business
people
or
entrepreneurs…
small,
simple
steps
won’t
cut
it
to
deal
with
major
global
challenges
of
climate
change
and
environmental
degradation
we
are
all
facing.
There
are
thousands
of
cases
that
demonstrate
that,
yes
we
can,
transform
these
challenges
into
the
foundations
of
a
more
sustainable,
profitable,
and
desirable
societal
model.
But
where
to
start?
What
is
the
most
effective,
profitable
and
desirable
way
to
implement
the
change
we
want
to
see?
‘Whole
System
Design’
provides
essential,
hands-on
guidance
to
kick-start
this
next
industrial
revolution.
This
book
moves
the
reader
from
thinking
“hmmm…
this
is
interesting”
to
“I’m
gonna
do
this!”
It
reframes
the
future
not
as
fate,
but
as
choice.
A
choice
each
one
of
us
can
define,
prioritize
and
execute.

Professor
Serge
de
Gheldere,
Founder
and
managing
director
of
Futureproofed,
Guest
Professor
and
Director
at
Group
T
University
College
Leuven,
Belgium

The
book ‘Whole
System Design’
is a clever
feat of engineering
that bridges
the traditional
divide between
technological
and design thinking.
It shows how
we can cross
the giant chasm
between conventional
and sustainable
systems in small,
easy steps –
provided we
start now. It
should be read
by all engineers
as a matter
of urgency.

Professor
Janis Birkeland,
School of
Design,
Queensland
University
of Technology,
Australia,
Author of
Positive
Development

‘Whole
System Design’
gives a comprehensive
introduction
to whole system
design approach
as the basis
for transformative
action. Education
for Sustainability
has to be more
than ‘bolt
on’ environmental
papers in existing
programmes,
and this is
the best example
I’ve seen
of resources
to support sustainability
as an integrated
and transformative
driver.

As
an
environmental
scientist
&
educator
for
48
years
and
as
Editor-in-Chief
of
the
Journal
of
Cleaner
Production
for
17
years,
I
have
supported
the
development
of
holistic,
systems
approaches
to
understanding
human
interactions
with
our
eco-sphere
upon
which
we
are
all
totally
interdependent.
During
that
time
it
has
become
increasingly
evident
that
many
of
our
'problems'
have
been
caused
or
are
being
worsened
due
to
the
fact
that
‘experts’
in
science
or
technology
proposed
‘solutions’
which
caused
unanticipated,
negative
consequences.
This
was/is
due,
at
least
in
part,
to
the
fact
that
many
engineers
and
scientists
did
not
have
the
benefit
of
a
holistic
systems-based
education
to
help
them
to
holistically
define
the
problem(s)
to
be
solved,
and
to
develop
holistic
solutions.
Global
climate
change,
species
diversity
losses,
habitat
destruction,
human
population
growth
and
abject
poverty
are
illustrative
challenges
that
require
that
we
educate
‘students
of
all
ages’
to
help
societies
make
the
transition
to
sustainable
societal
patterns.
In
order
to
accomplish
the
urgently
needed
changes,
educators
and
students
must
have
sound
educational
materials,
models,
tools
and
experiences
that
provide
them
holistic
and
systems
understanding.
I
am
convinced
that,
The
‘Whole
Systems
Design’
(WSD)
book
developed
by
The
Natural
Edge
Project
(TNEP)
team
will,
if
widely
used,
contribute
much
to
help
societies
make
the
urgently
needed,
holistic
changes.
My
compliments
and
wholehearted
support
for
the
developers
of
this
excellent
material
and
to
the
organizations
that
are
making
it
available
to
faculty
and
students,
globally.

Professor
Don
Huisingh,
Retired
Senior
Scientist
in
Sustainable
Development
and
Editor-in-Chief
of
the
Journal
of
Cleaner
Production,
Institute
for
a
Secure
and
Sustainable
Environment,
University
of
Tennessee

We
see
an
urgent
need
for
curriculum
that
develops
professionals
who
can
create
sustainable
solutions
for
society.
This
'Whole
System
Design'
textbook
provides
the
rationale
and
information
needed
to
incorporate
academically
rigorous
sustainability
content
into
curriculum
for
built
environment
professionals.

Wynn
Calder, Director,
Association
of University
Leaders for
a Sustainable
Future

Whole
System
Design
is
an
excellent
aid
for
teaching
sustainable
development
to
engineering
student
who
are
not
exposed
to
sustainability
in
any
other
engineering
course.

I
was
buried
in
Whole
System
Design.
It’s
a
real
little
gem
and
I
look
forward
to
using
it.
It’s
very
clear,
straightforward
and
I
love
the
examples.
The
online
supports
are
also
a
tremendous
facility
and
together
they
can
play
a
significant
role
in
practical
terms
in
helping
realise
a
sustainability
informed
engineering
education
curriculum
globally.

Clear
and
concise,
the
book
assumes
the
reader
already
has
basic
engineering
knowledge...
That
said,
this
book
would
serve
well
for
the
continuing
education
of
practicing
engineers
or
as
a
textbook
for
students.

The
Chapter on Domestic Water Systems
within ‘Whole Systems Design’
developed by The Natural Edge
Project (TNEP) eloquently captures
the current household water challenge,
that is, achieving both fit-for-purpose
and efficient water use, to reduce
the water footprint of this sector
of the economy. Current data about
water consumption, available technology,
and cost across the life cycle
of the technology; illustrate
sensible, simple and appropriate
design solutions for engineers
looking to understand and implement
best-practice water systems engineering.
Capital and operating costs are
included by TNEP through case
studies, to confirm that water
efficient design is the only way
forward to meet water needs for
households, on a least cost basis,
and a quality appropriate to purpose.
In addition, the chapter will
enlighten users on the environmental
and economic benefits of moving
from linear household water use,
treatment and disposal systems,
to more enclosed water use systems,
through appropriate and sensible
engineering design.

Whole
System Design reviewed in the Journal of Cleaner
Production (2009).

Preliminaries

Dedication
This book is dedicated to Amory B. Lovins and
Alan Pears. To Amory, for his significant contribution
to expanding the solution space for sustainable
design and for taking the time to mentor our team,
and to Alan for sharing with us his enthusiasm,
insights and lessons learnt from a life dedicated
to whole system design.

Acknowledgements

The
Natural Edge Project (TNEP) would like to thank the
following individuals and groups for making the development
of this publication possible. Firstly, a special thank
you must go to the authors’ families. Peter
would like to thank his family and friends for their
love and support, especially his family Bill, Georgina,
George, Steven and Olivia, and partner Jacquelina.
Mike would like to thank his wife Sarah Chapman for
her love, support and for sharing a life long passion
for sustainable engineering. Charlie would like to
thank his wife, Stacey, for her patience and love.
Cheryl would like to thank her family for their love
and support of her commitment to make a difference.
The authors would also like to thank Fatima Pinto
for her tireless efforts in managing the TNEP office.

TNEP Secretariat – Charlie, Michael, Cheryl,
Peter, Stacey Hargroves and Fatima Pinto – would
like to thank the Australian Federal Department of
the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWR)
for funding the development of the publication as
part of the 2005/06 and 2006/07 Education for Sustainability
Grants Program.

A special thank you must go to Amory Lovins as he
was the inspiration for this publication, in particular
the starting point for the development of the methodology,
and the unique format of the case studies. During
our trip to Rocky Mountain Institute in 2004, we asked
Amory what a team of young engineers could do to make
a difference to our profession and he responded simply
that we should contribute to the ‘non-violent
overthrow of bad engineering’, and the many
conversations that followed inspired our team to develop
this book.

Thank you to Paul Compston and Benjamin S. Blanchard
for taking the time to mentor our team on Systems
Design and Systems Engineering. Additional thanks
must go to Paul for trialing the book’s material
in his Systems Design course at The Australian National
University. A special thank you goes to Alan Pears
for taking the time to share with us his personal
experiences and lessons learnt from whole system design
projects to inform the development of the methodology
on which this book is based.

The Secretariat would also like to thank Barry Grear
AO, Benjamin S. Blanchard, Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker,
and Tony Marjoram for taking the time to mentor our
team and contribute forewords for this publication.
We would like to thank the following individuals for
taking the time to provide peer review and mentoring
for this publication:

Al Blake, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Alan Pears, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Angus Simpson, University of Adelaide
Benjamin S. Blanchard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University
Bolle Borkowsky, CDIF Group
Bruce R. Munson, Iowa State University
Chandrakant Patel, Hewlett-Packard
Colin Kestel, University of Adelaide
Dylan Lu, University of Sydney
Janis Birkeland, Queensland University of Technology
Kazem Abhary, University of South Australia
Lee Luong, University of South Australia
Mehdi Toophanpour Rami, University of Adelaide
Nick Edgerton, AMP Capital Sustainability Fund (formerly
of the University of Technology Sydney Institute
of Sustainable Futures)
Paul Compston, The Australian National University
Philip Bangerter, Hatch
Rajaratnam Shanthini, University of Peradeniya

Robert
Mierisch, Hydro Tasmania Consulting
Veronica Soebarto, University of Adelaide
Wim Dekkers, Queensland University of Technology

The
work was copy edited by TNEP Professional Editor Stacey
Hargroves. Work on original graphics and enhancements
to existing graphics has been carried out by Mr Peter
Stasinopoulos and Mrs Renee Stephens.

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this publication
do not necessarily reflect those of the collaborating
parties: Australian Government; Australian Federal
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts;
Australian Federal Minister for Climate Change and
Water; United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization; and the World Federation of
Engineering Organizations. While reasonable efforts
have been made to ensure that the contents of this
publication are factually correct, these parties do
not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness
of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss
or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly
through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of
this publication.

Syllabus:
The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive
overview of the nature and causes of the environmental
problems facing our planet with a focus on energy
and water. The aim is to give students an insight
to the political, economical and social forces underlying
environmental conflicts and assess the competing approaches
used to address these issues. The course starts with
a description of the physical basis of global warming,
and proceeds with a discussion of Australia's energy
and water use, an overview of sustainable energy and
water technologies and sustainable building design.
Topics include the principles of sustainability, sustainable
design and social responsibility, sustainable and
renewable energy sources, and sustainable use of water.
Aspects of designing a sustainable building, green
technologies that minimise energy and water consumption,
consider recycling and reducing waste disposal using
advanced design will also be discussed during this
course.

Use of WSD: One of three text books listed.
Part of the assignments in the course is to study
the worked examples in Whole System Design and to
present them in the class.

Syllabus:
Concepts of economic development and human development;
Science, technology, innovations and sustainable development;
Energy and transport for economic and human development,
and their impact on sustainable development; Industrial
and service sector and their impact on sustainable
development; Use of fertilizers and pesticides, green
revolution and agricultural biotechnology in the agricultural
sector, and their impact on sustainable development;
Globalization and its impact on sustainable development;
Information and communication technology and its impact
on sustainable development; Sustainable development
project execution.

Syllabus:
The focus of the course being to bring together engineers
and non-engineers to better understand the opportunities
and limitations for engineering to support society's
movement toward sustainability.

The
Natural Edge Project Engineering Sustainable Solutions
Program is supported by the Australian National
Commission
for UNESCO through the International Relations Grants
Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade.

TNEP Core Partners in Research, Education and Policy Development

Website created as an in-kind donation, and now serviced by Izilla Pty Ltd, with hosting provided by Melbourne IT.

Between 2007 and 2010 TNEP was provided in-kind administrative hosting by Griffith University and the Australian National University, previously by Engineers Australia. From 2011 onwards TNEP has been co-hosted by QUT, Curtin University and the University of Adelaide.